Best Internship Programs in Germany 2025-2026 for International Students
Germany is one of the world’s largest economies, and its large companies and research institutes offer excellent internship opportunities. This experience can be very beneficial for your future career. These are special opportunities where foreign students go to Germany and learn to work in large companies, universities or research institutes there. This happens for a short period of time during their college or university studies or after their degree.
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What are the benefits of these internships?
· You will get real work experience that will be related to your studies.
· Your CV (Resume) will become much stronger, which will make it easier for you to get a good job.
· You will learn new skills and improve your existing skills.
· You will have the opportunity to work with people and experts from all over the world.
· Although many internships are in English, you will have the opportunity to learn German and understand their culture.
Some popular internship programs in Germany 2025-2026
1. RISE Worldwide (Research Internships)
· Who is it for: This is for bachelor's students in science, engineering, computer science, medicine and life sciences.
· Work: You do research work at universities, research institutes or large companies.
· Duration: Usually 1.5 to 3 months.
· Language: Mostly in English.
· Support: You receive a monthly stipend, travel expenses and health insurance.
2. Carlo Schmid Programme (Internships in international organizations)
· Who is it for: This is for students who want to work in international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) or the European Union.
· Duration: Can be up to 6 months.
· Requirements: Good English and good grades in studies.
· Support: Monthly stipend and travel expenses.
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3. IAESTE (for technical fields)
· For whom: This is for students in technical and scientific fields (such as engineering).
· Work: Paid internships in industries or research institutes.
· Duration: 2 to 3 months.
· Support: You receive a salary and help with accommodation.
4. Large companies also offer internships
Many large companies in Germany such as Adidas, BMW, Porsche, Siemens, Volkswagen, Bayer, and Airbus also offer internship opportunities directly to international students. You can find out in the "Careers" section of their websites.
How to apply and what are the requirements?
You can search for opportunities on the DAAD website (www.daad.de), the companies' own websites, or on internship websites.
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General requirements:
· You must be enrolled in a university (currently studying) or have recently graduated.
· You must have good English (in some places German may also be required).
· You must have a degree in a field related to the internship you want.
· You must have applied for a visa (if you are a non-EU citizen).
· You will usually need your CV/Resume, a motivational letter and academic transcripts.
Important tip
Finding an internship can take a long time, so start preparing and applying 3 to 6 months in advance.